io6 



CORN 



molds, is covered with a white cloth marked off into two- 

 inch squares. The squares are numbered to correspond 

 with the hundred ears to be tested. About six kernels, 

 taken from different places on each ear to be tested, are 

 placed in a square. A cloth is placed over the kernels to 

 keep in the moisture. After these have been kept moist 

 in a warm place for about five days, they should be exam- 

 ined, and the ears from which all kernels did not sprout 

 well should be rejected. The testing should be done 

 early in the spring before time for planting. 



The "rag-doll" tester consists of a piece of cloth about 

 nine inches wide and five feet long. Twenty squares are 

 marked and numbered near the center of the strip. After 

 the six kernels are placed on each square it is rolled up from 

 both ends and kept moist and warm. When several of 

 these testers are kept together, they do not dry out so 

 fast as one alone. 



FIG. 59. Rag-doll seed-corn tester. Observe the "corn-tree" at the right. 



